How to conduct electricity through water without electrodes?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the methods of conducting electricity through water without direct contact using electrodes. Participants explore various theoretical approaches, including high voltage arcs and electromagnetic induction, while considering the properties of materials involved.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that using high voltage to create an arc across air into water might be a viable method, although it is limited to high voltage applications.
  • Another participant agrees that a high voltage arc seems to be the only option aside from direct contact with the water.
  • Some participants propose the idea of inducing a current in a loop of water magnetically linked to a coil, questioning whether this could work similarly to other conductors.
  • There is a discussion about the magnetic properties of materials, with one participant noting that electricity can be induced even if the material lacks ferromagnetic properties, using copper as an example.
  • Another participant mentions that while copper is not ferromagnetic, it is effective in transformers, suggesting a configuration involving a copper primary coil and a secondary coil made of a loop tube of water.
  • One participant challenges the necessity of a ferromagnetic core in transformers, stating that transformers can function without it, particularly at higher frequencies.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express multiple competing views on the feasibility of various methods for conducting electricity through water without electrodes. There is no consensus on the best approach or the necessity of specific materials.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge limitations in their understanding of the magnetic properties of materials and the effectiveness of different configurations in practical applications. Some assumptions about the behavior of electricity in non-ferromagnetic materials remain unresolved.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those exploring innovative methods of electrical conduction, particularly in experimental physics or engineering contexts.

kevin_tee
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More specifically, how to conduct electricity through water without submerging electrodes into water? I can't think of other way except using high voltage to arc across air into water, but this method only work for high voltage. Any ideas? Thanks
 
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Other than any form of contact with the water I think that a high voltage arc would be the only other option.
 
I've never tried it (yet!), but if you had a loop of water magnetically linked to a coil, presumably a current could be induced, just as with any other conductor.
 
Merlin3189 said:
I've never tried it (yet!), but if you had a loop of water magnetically linked to a coil, presumably a current could be induced, just as with any other conductor.
Hmmm... Interesting, I though electricity can only be induce if the material have a magnetic property.
 
Copper is not ferromagnetic, but works well in transformers.
 
Merlin3189 said:
Copper is not ferromagnetic, but works well in transformers.
But the core of the transformer is ferromagnetic. Copper is just to create magnetic field. But I think copper will also work. Aren't there research on this?
 
I don't know about research on the magnetic properties of copper.
What I am suggesting is a transformer with normal primary coil (copper), normal core (iron) and a secondary coil of a loop tube of water.
 
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kevin_tee said:
But the core of the transformer is ferromagnetic. Copper is just to create magnetic field.

no,
Transformers will still work without an iron core, the just don't work as well at lower frequencies

Many dual coil inductors in RF circuits have no ferrite material in them

go do some reading on electromagnetic induction :)Dave
 

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